When does riba became necessity

When does riba became necessity because people are saying “oh if i don’t have a lot of money to pay for my school i can take loan with riba”. they say its necessity or must. what is the ruling on this?

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

In various places in the Qur’an, Allah Ta’ala has commanded the believers to engage in certain acts and to refrain from others. As an encouragement to the believers, Allah Ta’ala has promised great rewards for carrying out those good deeds. On the other hand, Allah Ta’ala has issued grave admonitions to the believers in order for them to refrain from the evil deeds. Amongst these admonitions, one hardly finds a warning move severe than that of riba’. Allah Ta’ala says,

“O you who believe, fear Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from interest if you are believers. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger…”

[al-Baqarah 2:278-279]

It is essential for one’s success in this world and the Hereafter to avoid any involvement in riba’. This does not refer to taking interest, but rather giving, witnessing, and recording it, as well.

From Qutaibah, Abu Uwanah said, from Samak bin Harb, from Abdur Rahman bin Abd Allah bin Mas’ud, from Ibn Mas’ud, he said the Prophet cursed the one who takes, gives, witnesses, or records interest. [at-Tirmidhi 3/512]

Only under severe conditions will this accursed transaction become permissible, just as the eating of swine becomes permissible only under the most severe conditions.

A person should not succumb to the evils of his desires and the ploys of Shaytan by considering if his situation allows him to deal in any interest-bearing transactions. Even if an interest-bearing transaction might seem a better option financially, such a transaction will ultimately prove otherwise. The Prophet stated,

“Interest, even if it increases, its result is towards scarcity.”

[Shu’ab al-Iman 5511]

One should always fear the punishments, such as the ones mentioned above, for engaging in interest and not let Shaytan misguide him into committing this sin, which the Prophet counted as one of the seven destructive sins.

Furthermore, he should rest assured that Allah Ta’ala will put barakah in his money if he makes an effort to avoid interest.

Yet, if one truly feels that he is in absolute necessity of interest-bearing transactions, then one must close the door for his desires and for Shaytan to misguide him by presenting his situation to a pious scholar, seeking his advice, and submitting to his decision.

It is necessary for one to try his best to avoid riba’ to the best of his ability, even if that means enduring some level of difficulty, in order to not risk waging a self-destructive war against Allah Ta’ala and His beloved Messenger.